Prospect Park audio check out the audio…
seasounds.mp3 simpy and I have just spent a great weekend in Hastings. Old school chum Christian and his wife Louise have lovingly restored an 1860s town house located on a hilltop with amazing views of the english channel by all accounts. The house is on 4 levels – Simpy and I took the top floor, all wooden floors so Simpy’s bed was a melange of beach towels.
Glorious late October weather took us around the clifftops and local beaches; also to Rye and Camber Sands, memories of a drunken lads trip 10 years or so ago.
No wind and the sea almost like a millpond. Check out the audio.
Mike and richard audio
Mike and I go back 30 years – we first met in the junior Bedfordshire Youth Orchestra as budding young violin players. Yesterday he was 40, so to celebrate most of his family and myself/Simpy gathered at his brother (and my ex flat-mate) Jeremy and wife Rebecca’s lovely house opposite Kew Gardens. Much bubbly and reminiscing. Notably, Mike and I celebrated the passing of 20 years since we shared a bizarre summer job – doing a night shift at a garage/petrol station in dear old Bedford, the town of my birth. Also the Perl and Lane families have quite a few similar experiences:
Mike’s parents Nick and Jenny live in Dorchester, a few miles from my folks.
Jeremy went to my school (Bedford Modern), my University (Leeds) and worked at Lloyds Bank for my father-in-law. Jeremy also shared my flat in Streatham in the early 90s. Jonny Perl went to Bedford Modern School also, and knows blog commentee Faith very well having worked with her in New York City a few years ago. And remember, Jonny set up this website (thanks again Jonny). Their sister Rosamund is the same age as me though is the member of the Perl family I know least well – odd, we should at least have gone out together in adolescence, this never transpired. Anyway, great to see them all.
Lila audio file
Of all friends children, Lila has to be right up there as one of my favourites. Her parents andrew and Karen have been mates for years, and of course adore their little girl. Lila is in a rare breed of child who does not burst into tears the minute I get involved with cuddles. And she once sat on my knee for the duration of a flight back from Ireland and was great company.
So last night dear L graced us with her presence for a few minutes before our lovely dinner of salad and monkfish chez A and K’s – or should that be Chez Lila – hey, great name for a restaurant. Simpy missed out on this occasion, though glad to report that he, too, thinks Lila is very cool and looks forward to seeing her soon.
Coronation Scot audio
This music will be part of the train thing that Dave and I will work on this weekend.
Lords audio file
25 years ago my father took a schoolfriend and me to Lords cricket ground. The occasion: England v Australia in the heady summer of 1981. Unfortunately Dad hadn’t bought a ticket in advance; so we stood at one end (the Nursery End for those in the know), cagouls on, catching the odd glimpse from a standing position when the sightscreen wasn’t obscuring our view. It rained a bit, a cold wind blew. We witnessed Botham get one of his ducks for that game.It was uninspiring.
Today I found myself sitting on the balcony of the famous pavillion with old friend Bill and his father Robin, beer in hand – and unfortunately due to the steamy weather – collar and tie, a prerequisite for entry into the MCC members area. OK, Middlesex verses Durham with 150 spectators does not compare with a test match…but in my minds eye I recall as a child gazing longingly at the majestic pavillion building, wondering if I would ever set foot inside. I did today. Our visit included a walk through the (air conditioned) Long Room, where all players must walk through and brush shoulders with the members. There hang oil paintings of cricketers of another world: W G Grace, W R Hammond…I even walked down the steps from the Long Room into the front of the members area, just imagining whose footsteps I was walking on…Bradman, Richards, Gooch, Gower, Botham of course. The stuff of schoolboy dreams. Oh – and Simpy stayed behind in the Camden office, he’s not big on the wonderful game.
audio snippet Less than a week old and this blog is already running out of control. around a month ago Simpy and friends (myself included) took a day out on the watercress steam railway down in Hampshire. Terrific fun. 1950s puffa which ran between alton and Aulesford. Like a trip back in time. And watercress featured in the wonderful lakeside lunch in the Globe pub in Aulesford. Have a listen and let me know what you think.
